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Passfaces is a "cognometric" method of authenticating internet users based on the remarkable ability of humans to remember faces. It is particularly suitable for internet banking applications since it is more secure than passwords or PINs, more intuitive and fun to use, and, unlike other biometric techniques, it requires no special equipment or enrolment procedures. Banks should give it a try.

Currently, most online banking services use some form of password or PIN for authentication. It is accepted that this approach is not perfact. Many customers dislike PINs and passwords because they are difficult to remember. They can also be compromised through hacking or spyware or simple misuse, especially since most customers write them down in order to remember them.

An intriguing new "cognometric" authentication method called Passfaces gets round these problems in a way that fits with the visual nature of the web and is fun to use.

Passfaces is based on the remarkable ability of the human brain to remember faces. Customers enrol by memorising four random faces, then logon by choosing these faces from a random array of decoy faces. This method has great potential. It is highly secure (users cannot "write down" their faces and can only be "robbed" of them at the point of sale), very user friendly and intuitive (faces are much easier to remember than passwords, less intrusive than most other biometric techniques), and inexpensive to implement (no special equipment required and a simple, user controlled enrolment procedure).

Surprisingly, no bank apperas to have adopted Passfaces as an authentication method, since in theory there are significant potential benefits:

Differentiation of a bank's internet banking service from the increasingly commoditised offerings of the competition.

Improved customer service through offering what is potentially a highly user friendly method of authentication, which is intuitive and fun to use.

Further improved service through the ability to offer customers a choice of authentication methods tailored to their individual preferences.

Cost savings relative to other biometric techniques, and reduced support costs relative to passwords since customers are less likely to forget their faces.

Better understanding of authentication methods generally, leading to competitive advantage in terms of higher security, lower costs and improved levels of service.

Passfaces has been developed and patented by ID-Arts, a UK company. Check out their web site and try out Passfaces for yourself on http://www.id-arts.com/.

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Collin Consulting Ltd is a limited company registered in England and Wales. Registration No. 5120552.

Contact Details

Name: Nick Collin

Address: Collin Consulting Ltd

16 Cloudesley Square

London N1 0HT, UK

Phone: +44 207 833 8765

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